Graduation Explained
In the Suzuki philosophy, there is no place in the child’s development for either a sense of failure or an attitude of competition towards other students. One step at a time, with each of these steps to be thoroughly mastered, is the basis of a secure and solid foundation of learning. Dr. Suzuki also realised that along this path of learning, there was a need for goals to be set to help the child gain a sense of achievement, and so he devised the system of graduation levels.
Dr. Suzuki said, “This system of assigning the graduation pieces has proved to be very effective in motivating students’ learning. It aims at students’ efforts to turn in the tapes, and the teachers’ efforts to stimulate their student’s learning motivation.” The responsibility is placed on the teacher, who must neither push the student too soon nor hold them back when ready.
There are two graduation dates each year – 15 May and 15 October. Tapes and fees – $30 per tape – should be in the post no later than either of these dates. Send to:
NZSI,
PO BOX 74092,
MARKET ROAD,
AUCKLAND.
Cheques should be made payable to the NZ Suzuki Institute. Both student and teacher should be current financial members of their local branch of NZSI. If you have any doubts about whether you are a member, please check with your branch and, if necessary, pay this year’s subscription to your branch. (A membership form is included in the journal.)
After the Listener has listened to the tape, a report is prepared. This is sent to the teacher of the student together with the graduation tape. The student receives a beautiful certificate, which has a mountain scene painted by Dr. Suzuki himself. As a change to previous practice, graduation certificates will be sent to teachers rather than branches. This will mean that students will receive their certificates earlier than previously, but will not preclude their presentation at branch events should the teacher arrange this. It would be helpful for a separate tape to be submitted for each graduate, as it is easy to miss a recording if there is more than one on a tape.